EX 35:1-38:20

I was not able to write in the past three weeks. I had to return to Houston, TX for paperwork for immigration and doctor visits. I'm OK, Just returned home to El Salvador this afternoon. I need to catch up on the Bible study portions. This is this week's.

These are the final chapters of Exodus (Shemot) and Moshe talks about honoring the Sabbath day, the prohibition of lighting a fire on the Sabbath, gathering an offering to build the Tabernacle and its furnishings, the appointment of persons to make certain items, and finally, the building project in detail and the outcome. All these are worth talking about.

” Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to YHVH”

” You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

These are very important statements, commandments repeated from before. Even before the building project begins, YHVH wants His people to know the work days, rules, and regulations. In this “work-a-holic” world in which we live, the believer should know when to stop and rest. YHVH commands it, for our own good and mental soundness. Too many people work all seven days a week, perhaps 10 or more hours each day to make a “lot-of-money” only to spend the extra money at the hospital when they have a nervous breakdown because of all the extra work hours.

The Sabbath is a day to spend with the family, at the family’s place of worship at a synagogue or church. It is a time to spend with the LORD, to worship, learn from HIS WORD, and fellowship with other believers. It is a time to leave the things of the house alone, perhaps eat out, and return home at the end of Sabbath. It is intended as a “day of rest” so, “rest” means exactly that, “rest”.

When we look at the commandment; “Thou shalt kindle no fire through
ut your dwellings on the Sabbath” we need to ask ourselves, what was fire used mainly for? Probably for cooking! To boil water, prepare food in different ways. Manna fell from the sky and the Israelites perhaps ate it as is, or boiled it, or made it into bread, they probably roasted goats or lambs from the flocks, heated ovens for “Manna flat bread” It was a task and a half to start and maintain a fire, cooking, preparing and all that. So, YHVH is saying STOP! just for the Sabbath, and take a break from it all. Stop slaving over the hot stove and rest, prepare something on Friday, that is why HE gave a “double-portion” of Manna on Friday.
Today, how can we put that “mitzvah” into good use without “overdoing it” as some Jewish sects do, not, turning on a light switch, not driving a car, etc. Well, to start, we can prepare meals for Saturday on Friday, and on the Sabbath, just heat them. Another idea, eat something light like salad and sandwiches.

Many churches and synagogues have the custom of eating out or eating “in”. Some Jewish synagogues have “Oneg” a lunch prepared for the members and guests after service. Some church Sunday school classes go out to eat as families after services on Sundays. Why not? Give the housewife or house-husband a break from kitchen duty! Don’t they deserve it? Anyway, the Sabbath was made for man and woman, to “rest” and take it easy, and mediate on YHVH.
Another way we can look at this commandment is that “kindling a fire” could also refer to our “tempers” many have very hot tempers which flare up. The Sabbath is a time of peace, not to sow arguments over this and that, just take it easy and relax, let our temperaments be cool and calm. If someone wants to start an argument on the Sabbath, just walk away and leave it alone. It can wait for another day.

Now we need to look at the Tabernacle. The order to build it, to take up an offering of materials, to assign workers, to “build it” to “put it all together” and finally, to invite YHVH to come down and dwell in it, which he DID, at the close of the book of Exodus. So, go ahead and read the chapters. How can we look at this in light of our lives as born-again believers in Messiah Yeshua? (Jesus Christ?)

The “tabernacle” today is YHVH’s dwelling place which is every “Kehilah” (congregation) where born-again believers meet to worship the LORD, singing praises and teaching his WORD. The tabernacle is also the body of all believers, with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) dwelling inside of us! YHVH has given each and every believer some gift and talent to “maintain” the “Body of Believers” as YHVH chose different individuals to build the furniture of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) , so HE has selected different believers with different talents to maintain the many congregations in this world.

The root word of “Mishkan” are the letters SH+K+N, (Shaken) meaning to “dwell with” or one could say “to live among” This is the Hebrew word for “Tabernacle” (Mishkan).

1. The Mishkan itself with the curtains, poles, staves, etc. = A “fence” to keep holiness in and ungodliness out!
Once inside, you are in the holy place, where YHVH dwells, and where the priests minister. Our Kehilot are “holy places” where the LORD dwells and where we join for fellowship with other believers.

2. “Aron HaKodesh” (The Ark of the Covenant) the “heart” of the Mishkan, where the tablets of the commandments are kept, together with a pot of Manna, and Aron’s rod. It symbolizes the believer who “should” shine like “gold” both inwardly and outwardly. We should be mindful of the commandments to put them into action as “unto good works” Yeshua is our “Manna” the “Bread of Life” and the Rod of Aron as our “Rod of authority, our high priesthood of believers” the “Shekinah glory” which rested above the mercy seat is the everlasting presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

3. “The Table of Incense” it symbolizes our prayers as they go up “like smoke” unto the heavenlies, even to the Throne of Grace. One thing to point out, all the furniture except the Menorah, was made of Acacia wood overlaid with gold, the wood symbolizes the humanity of Yeshua, and the gold “purity”. The incense was made of various ingredients but making an exact replica of the original substance is forbidden, most worshippers today who use incense use a mixture of Frankincense and Myrrh, which is readily available. It is a relaxing aroma that helps one to sleep at night.

4. “The Golden Menorah” was made of one solid piece of gold, hammered, and formed into a seven-branch candlestick. It had seven lamps filled with olive oil and burned all night. In the morning, the priest would come into the Holy Place, trim the wicks, and re-fill the lamps with olive oil. We look at the Menorah as “Yeshua Ha Or Olam” (Yeshua who is the light of the world, the Eternal Light) we are the 6 branches that are on either side of the “Shamash” the helper lamp which is in the middle, Yeshua said, “Ye are the light of the world” that means “every believer is a light in dark places” but our light comes from Yeshua” we have no light of our own, like the moon, moonlight is sunlight reflected off the lunar surface. The oil symbolizes the Ruach Ha Kodesh, (The Holy Spirit) and the wicks are “us” we need to be in contact with the “oil” to have brightness.

5. “The Table of Shewbread” was made of hardwood overlaid with gold. Had 12 loaves of bread, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. The table and bread symbolize “Yeshua HaLechem Chayim” (Yeshua the Bread of Life) Even the “unleavened bread” of Passover symbolizes “Yeshua” who is the unleavened bread”

6. Outside the holy place are two items, the bronze laver and the Brazen Altar. The bronze laver was a huge bronze bowl filled with water. The priests would wash their hands and feet after offering blood sacrifices. It was made of bronze which symbolizes “judgment” When the water was still, the priest would see his reflection in the water. When we look in still water, or in a mirror, we see our reflection, we see who we are, sinners saved by grace, yet we still have the sin nature, and Yeshua went through “judgment” in our place, we have been “washed” in his blood and made clean. Remember that Yeshua washed the feet of his talmidim.

7. “the Bronze Altar” (Mizbeach) (pronunciation = “ach” like Johann Sebastian Bach) not “beach” which is by the ocean, NO! It was made of hardwood overlaid with bronze, symbolizing the humanity of Yeshua who was judged in the “fires of our sin”. The animal sacrifices were performed on this altar, the blood was poured out at the base of the altar and the animals were roasted on a grill. Think of the Mizbeach as a big BBQ pit. The brazen altar symbolizes the cross of Messiah Yeshua, and the animals symbolize Yeshua himself who poured out his blood for us sinners, who incurred “our judgment” in his own body.
We see the materials that went into building the Tabernacle; gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, wood, blue, purple, scarlet, and animal skins, They all have symbolic meanings; Gold=purity (of Messiah) and the goal of every follower of Mashiach, Silver=redemption (Yeshua redeemed us from the curse of sin) bronze=Judgment (Yeshua was judged for our sins, Fine linen= our new nature and our walk with the LORD, wood=Humanity of Messiah
Blue=Heaven, Purple=Royalty, (we are royalty in Messiah Yeshua, part of his royal family) Scarlet=blood. Animal skins=the covering of our sins before, but now, our sins have been erased, not just covered.

At the end of Exodus, in 40:38 it says that YHVH settled upon the Mishkan in a cloud. Now his presence is visible. Messiah is still with us in the form of the Holy Spirit, WE are the living Tabernacles and the Spirit of God lives in our heart, as well as within the “Kehilot” of believers who come together for worship.
We read that “Bezaleel” was chosen by Adonai to build many pieces of the furniture that went into the Mishkan. He was filled with the “Ruach Elohim” (The Spirit of God) so as to fulfill this tremendous task. He was given “Knowledge” (da’at) “Understanding” (binah) and “Wisdom” or skill (Chochma).
Today, we acquire knowledge from books, or through listening to others, we can read the WORD and acquire knowledge, but hopefully, it will not stop there. From knowledge we get “understanding” and from there, we put those to use in the form of “wisdom” or “skills”.

“Bezaleel” is introduced as “Bezaleel, son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Y’hudah” the rabbis say that he is given three names, or three identities, Bezaleel, Son of Uri, Son of Hur. Even though we know that it is the same person. In a way, we have three names or three identities. One name is the name that our parents gave us. Another name, could be how the community around us may call us, like “teacher” or “helper” or “counselor” “pastor” “rabbi” etc, the third name is that name that Adonai will give us in the World to Come. We will have an “eternal name” that perhaps, may reflect on the kind of life we lived on earth.
“B’tzel’el” means “in the shadow of EL” (God). So, he walked in HIS shadow, as an obedient servant, and was given the blessing of building a great part of the Mishkan.

Remember that YOU are the Tabernacle of God where the Holy Spirit resides. Take care of yourself. Keep yourself in service for HIM!

Ben Avraham

Hello beloved saints. I hope this is a good place to find fellowship with like minded believers in Messiah Yahshua. Look forward to hearing from brothers and sisters in Messiah soon

Yes, God is all sovereign. He is in full control and nothing happens or can happen without his knowing.
However, this doesn't necessarily means he "causes" all things to happen and not happen does it?

I know in Scripture it said that God numbers the hairs on my head and so he has also numbered my days,
but does this actually mean He determines exactly when you will die or how long you will live?

Again, is this to say that we have no say in our own mortality? In other words, if God does determine to exact
year, month, day, hour, and second when you will expire on this earth, then if you live an unhealthy lifestyle,
you can't change the date God chose for you to expire? If I wanted to live healthier and did everything in my
ability to live a healthy long life, it won't matter because God has already determined you will expire on "X" date?

So if God determines this, then what point is there to live wisely or recklessly, you will still live long or still live short
depending on what God has already determined for you.

OR

Does God adjust the plan mid-flight based on your choices and how you live? So maybe God intended someone to live
95 years but since you decided to be reckless and have bad habits, God decided you should expire at age 35 in some accident
or unfortunate event due to your reckless ways? Isn't that still us who determines how long or short we live? Aren't we a major
factor or agent in the causation of something happening and not happening or do we have no say in the result because God
determines it?

Is this something Biden voters should be concerned about, or not?

After a meeting at the White House this week, Polish Primer Minister Donald Tusk called on Mike Johnson to pass the Ukraine Aid bill that he has refused to bring to the House floor for a vote (even though most political observers think it would pass).

..Tusk warned Johnson’s failure to act could cost “thousands of lives” in Ukraine, including those of women and children.

He said he hoped “the voice of Poland will influence and change the attitude of the Speaker of the House. Mr. Johnson, me must be aware, and I hope that he is already aware, that on his individual decision depends the fate of millions of people — in fact on his decision depends thousands [of] lives in Ukraine.”

Tusk recognized the political differences in Congress over funding Ukraine but argued Johnson’s decision would have a global impact.

“This is not some political skirmish that only matters here in America. The absence of this positive decision of Mr. Johnson will really cost thousands of lives there: children, women. He must be aware of his personal responsibility,” the Polish leader said.

I know, He always does. The problem is, when the West puts their guard down and says "it's just all talk and bluster". One of these days, one or several of these Axis power will strike, and imagine if Russia, China, Iran, and N Korea, with their proxies all struck at once!

North Korea’s Kim test-drives new tank during military drills​

Kim Jong Un tells soldiers to complete ‘preparations for war’ during military demonstration as South Korea and US wrap joint drills.
Leader Kim Jong Un has joined North Korean soldiers training in operating a new battle tank, according to state media, as rivals South Korea and the United States wrapped up joint military exercises.

Sporting a black leather jacket, Kim watched live-fire “training march” exercises from a field command post before mounting the new tank and driving it himself, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday.

North Korea’s Kim test-drives new tank, orders troops to prepare for war

Kim tells troops to complete ‘war preparations’ during military demonstration as South Korea and US wrap joint drills.

www.aljazeera.com

The tank does look pretty formidable.

While passing out Gospel tracts, I handed one to a man who said he was a pastor. How would you have responded if you were a pastor?

Judd Blevins, a city commissioner in Enid, Oklahoma, marched in the 2017 white nationalist Unite the Right rally. Now he faces a recall vote.

ENID, Okla. — The photo of Judd Blevins was unmistakable.

In it, Blevins, bearded and heavyset, held a tiki torch on the University of Virginia campus, on the eve of Unite the Right, a 2017 coming-together of the nation’s neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.

Vickers had it enlarged at a local print and copy shop. On a January night in 2023, she and Nancy Presnall, best friends, retirees and rare Democrats in a deeply red Oklahoma county, brought it to a sparsely attended forum where Blevins, a candidate running to represent Ward 1 on Enid’s six-seat City Council, was making his case.

As his campaign manager whisked a red-faced Blevins away, Vickers and Presnall followed, yelling, “Answer the question, Judd!”

“He ran away from two little old ladies,” Presnall recalled.

Two weeks later, on Valentine’s Day, Blevins won his race, unseating the Republican incumbent, widely viewed as a devoted public servant, who died from cancer later that year. Voters seemed to appreciate Blevins’ bio: a veteran who’d served in Iraq and who’d worked a manual job in Tulsa before moving back to his hometown to take over his father’s roofing business. Blevins described himself as a man of God and extolled the city as a place where “traditional values” remained the norm.

Blevins has declined multiple interview requests. (In response to questions about his white nationalist ties, he told a reporter, “I hope you find God.”)

What is clear is that from at least 2017 to 2019, Blevins was an active leader in Identity Evropa, one of the largest among the white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups that collectively made up the alt-right.

Wade Burleson, former president of the Southern Baptists of Oklahoma and a retired pastor of Enid’s largest church, was an early supporter of Blevins on Facebook. Burleson, who also sits on the faith advisory committee of the state’s controversial school Superintendent Ryan Walters, said attempts to unseat Blevins are a “race-bait trap,” an attempt by “communists” and the “mainstream media” to “divide the world over race.”

From the office of his new ministry, an old Pizza Hut remodeled by his wife, Burleson explained that Blevins’ time with white nationalism was a response to his service in the Marines and a reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“He made some mistakes,” Burleson said, “but he’s not a racist.”

FBI agents raided a federal women’s prison in California this week so plagued by sexual abuse that it was known among inmates and workers as the “rape club.”

The action coincided with the ouster of the new warden from the federal correctional institution in Dublin. Warden Art Dulgov — just a few months into his tenure — and three other top managers were removed from their positions Monday by the federal Bureau of Prisons. Dulgov was the third new leader of the low-security prison since Warden Ray T. Garcia, who, along with more than half a dozen employees, was convicted of sexually assaulting multiple women serving time there. [Garcia was sentenced to 70 months in prison.]

Dulgov and staff are accused of retaliating against an inmate who testified in January in a class-action lawsuit that alleges “horrific abuse and exploitation” at the prison, with rampant sexual assault of incarcerated persons, according to a court filing.

Since an FBI investigation was launched and resulted in arrests in 2021, eight FCI Dublin employees have been charged with sexually abusing inmates. Five have pleaded guilty, and two have been convicted by juries.

In 2022, one-time prison chaplain James Theodore Highhouse was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a female inmate at FCI Dublin. Highhouse engaged in predatory conduct with at least six women from 2014 to 2019, according to prosecutors. He claimed God had brought them together, quoting the Bible and referencing King David’s many wives as justification for his actions.

What sort of facts could prove it?

Does anyone have any?

Genesis 3:

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

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God used the serpent to test Eve.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

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Eve misquoted God's words but that's an innocent mistake.

4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

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The serpent formally contradicted God according to First-Order Logic.

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

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God knew everything. God knew evil existed. But at this point, has anyone done anything evil?

I think so. Contradicting God was an evil act. I think the serpent was a manifestation of the devil Satan. Jesus said in John 8:44 he was a liar from the beginning.

The innocent Eve was no match for the evil serpent. She failed the test. Immediately, she and Adam experienced bad thoughts that were not bad before. They saw that being naked was no good. They developed their independent definitions apart from God's.

What about today? How do we decide what is good or evil?

Well, I have been born of the Spirit. The more I grow in the Spirit, the more the Paraclete councils me and guides me in my conscience.

Honestly that is what this opinion piece advocates. No retirement. Not no mandatory retirement, which I'm OK with. No retirement at all.

Here is my proposal for their official theme song!

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I am from California. Working on getting life steady. In the meantime, struggling with the balance of studying, working and attending church (and helping at church). For some reason there is such a limit of time and vigor. I am sure God is wise in how he works with us. However I am a little tired and have been slipping in a few different ways. I'd like to have a forum to go where I can talk to others. I know it doesn't replace real fellowship but it may help me avoid going into a feeling of embracing lonership. That's actually a temptation for me. At least I want to try and talk.

Thanks for letting me join the forum.

Netanyahu - is the duly elected Prime Minister of Israel, and American Alli - American Congressmembers have no business calling for the over throw of a government regardless of method. He has no right or authority to call for an election, regardless of the reason. This is interference in another countries government.

What audacity to believe he knows what 'is best interest" for another nation. Using your position and funding to pressure another nation to do what you want is worse than quid pro quo and he should be censured and made to apologize to Israel.

It seems to me the greatness of a few who rose out of misery doesn't really compensate for the misery of the many others who never "made it"; the cost of societal misery is a very high price to pay for occasional genius, but without a doubt the poverty we see in this world does drive a few to become great. It fills them with depth of experience and some wisdom to make for greatness. Poverty is terrible, yet in it there is still something of God to be found and seen. Mother Teresa said something along the lines of, 'among the dying poor, we see Christ in his most terrible disguise', There's a lesson in those words.

The poor you shall have with you, always .... said the Lord, he said it without intending to teach that poverty was inevitable or excusable, Gandhi mentioned that poverty is the worst form of violence. And Confucius taught all his lessons to make society orderly and well rules so that poverty might be reduced. The Buddha taught denial of desire as the path to perfection. But in those few words the Lord taught that he, himself, was the only proper answer to earthly poverty.

Matthew 26:6-13 ESV Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, (7) a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. (8) And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? (9) For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." (10) But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (11) For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (12) In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. (13) Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

Christians, you are called to alleviate poverty, to reduce it, go generously give of yourselves, of your gifts, of your wealth, of your compassion to end the poverty that afflicts those around you.

The Sapporo High Court ruling said not allowing same-sex couples to marry and enjoy the same benefits as straight couples violates their fundamental right to have a family.

The court doesn't have the power to overturn the current marriage law, which has been interpreted to restrict marriage as between a man and a woman.

[Six lower district courts have also made similar rulings]

However, unlike the Sapporo ruling, none of the low-level courts clearly deemed the existing marriage law unconstitutional

Asked why they believe their country is the only one in the G-7 that doesn't yet allow same-sex marriage, [SSM poster boy] Katsuyama told CBS News Japan's ruling political party has close ties with fringe religious sects and staunchly conservative anti-LGBTQ groups.

A powerful right-wing minority in Japan's parliament has managed for years to block major changes to the country's marriage laws.

I feel guilty and like a bad person for wanting more in life.
I know that we should just be thankful to God under all circumstances and
if I have a warm bed to sleep in, food on the table, a decent job, a couple
parents who love me, and a pretty average life living in a first world nation
quality of life, no wars.......I know I should just be thankful that I have this which is probably
more than 75% of the world.

But why do I feel like it's not enough. I feel guilty for feeling this way and desiring
more in my life and it's not just wanting more materials, money, dream job etc.,
but even just wanting friends, relationship, love....it's like that's asking for too much
and I'm a bad person guilty to even think and desire for such things as to have good friends,
good community, loving relationships.


I realize that when you lose your health and then get it back, it feels like the most amazing thing
ever. To just wake up painfree, with energy, and normal functions all back...you feel so amazing
and like that's all you just be content with in life...just to be healthy. Of course that is wonderful
and who wouldn't want to have good health? We take it for granted probably more than anything
else in life.

But do I just say...."Ok, I choose not to strive for anything more, I choose not to dream bigger,
follow my pipe dreams because that's selfish. Let me just live because I have health, and food
and a bed to sleep in. That should be good enough for my life and if I want anything more than
that, I must be a really selfish awful person."

So, what is the message that we are to receive from this? It reminds me a bit of John 8 where it says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him…” but then in his discourse with them told them that their father was not Abraham, and not God, but the devil (see John 8:31-59). So “belief” is not necessarily the kind that saves from sin and promises eternal life with God. For people can intellectually acknowledge the truth of something but then not really commit themselves to what that faith requires.

And so we have to take into consideration what the Scriptures teach on the subject of faith and what the word “faith” really means. For Jesus Christ is the author and the perfecter of our faith, a faith which originates with God, is persuaded of God, and is gifted to us by God, and is not of our own doing – not of the will nor of the flesh of man. We can’t even come to faith in Jesus Christ unless God the Father draws us to Christ, i.e. unless he first persuades us as to his righteousness and of our sinfulness and of our need to forsake our sins and to follow Jesus in obedience to his commands.

[Hebrews 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-14; Galatians 5:16-24, etc.]

So, it is possible for you to believe that something is true but to not really receive that truth into your life and to apply it to your life. And that appears to be the case here with some of the Pharisees who believed Jesus’ words, but who denied him by their refusal to confess that belief and then to put that faith into practice. And there are many people who openly profess faith in Jesus Christ but it is superficial only because they do not put that faith into practice. So faith is more than just an acknowledgment of something.

Now some people may interpret this to say that they had no say in the matter at all for it was God who hardened their hearts. But if we read this in the full context, I believe that we will see that the people chose not to believe in Jesus, and they chose to harden their hearts against the truth when it was presented to them. And, as a result of their obstinance, the Lord gave them up and he handed them over to do whatever it was their sinful hearts desired (see Romans 1:18-32).

Now please know that the Scriptures teach that if we deny Jesus that he will deny us when he returns for his faithful bride. So it is not enough to believe intellectually, and it is not enough to just make a verbal confession of faith in Jesus Christ, but our lives must be surrendered to the Lord. We must now walk (in conduct, in practice) according to the Spirit and no longer according to the flesh. Sin must no longer be our practice. For if sin is what we obey, it will lead to death. But if obedience is what we obey, it leads to righteousness and to sanctification, and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:1-23).

So, denying Jesus Christ isn’t verbal only and it isn’t just a lack of a verbal confession of Christ as Savior and Lord. For many give lip service to the Lord whose hearts are far from him. So denying Jesus and his gospel message and denying genuine God-persuaded faith in him really does come about when we love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. For many professers of Christ will not share his gospel message out of fear of the rejection of humans. For they will desire the approval of humans over the approval of God. But that can’t be!

For Jesus said that if we are going to come after him that we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. And he said that whoever loves his family more than they love the Lord is not worthy of the Lord. And he said that whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy of him. And he said that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. So he must be first and foremost in our lives and all else should follow after that.

[Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 10:32-38; Matthew 15:7-9; Matthew 22:8; Luke 9:23-26,62; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:15-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:4]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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They got 'em, guys! That retail theft ring ran by illegal alie... oh wait...

Friends,

I have been active here for 10 years and one issue stands out from the rest.

Due to the lack of evidence of the miraculous in the church there are strong temptations to interpret scripture in such a way as to teach a season of diminished activity from the Holy Spirit.

This assumption gets so strong that any claims of God directly intervening by His Power are dismissed as fake or worse.

Teachers are happy to preach a powerless church as if 'reality' somehow trumps what we read was normal in the early church.

Returning to first Love is presented as a personal challenge rather than a word of rebuke to a Church that has ceased to function as evidence of His Kingdom on earth testifying with the signs of the Kingdom associated with The King Himself, as we see in Luke 7:22

Yet we know that Godliness without Power is an offensive denial... 2 Tim 3:5

God's Love and God's Power are inseparable.

So I had a hand in discipling a Doctor who had experienced a beautiful conversion to Jesus and was thirsty for His Word. With his wife he was eager to serve his new found Master in any was possible.

They invited my wife and I to dinner and asked about praying for their house to be blessed.

I could see that his newly filled heart was open to the Holy Spirit noted his passion to do right, so I followed his desires in this regard.

"Can I anoint the doors and windows with oil" he asked.

"Of course" I said.

So he went around the house dedicating all the entrances to Jesus putting oil on the lintels.

When he came to the back door - as he reached up with the oil - a rush of power knocked him backwards down several concrete steps.

Now he was six foot seven, no small man - totally laid out - overcome by God's presence and power.

We expected him to be seriously injured but he was just fine - basking in God's Love.

So this was nothing we did - we were witnessing God's Love and Power profoundly at work. 1Kings 8:11


Returning to first Love will see also a return of His Power.


Love you all.

If a thousand years for us is but a day for God, in God's eyes this should make the earth 7 + 6 = 13 days old, am I right ?

I am extremely depressed. I am trying to fight my depression. I lost my family due to having problems with them. I was angry at them because they said some pretty mean things about Mom. And then I did something that really upset them. I won't go into details of what I did. It wasn't illegal but it's still upset them. I did it out of anger. I did this to myself I know this. But I didn't think this one through. I lost all my friends. I just couldn't handle having friends. And of course I can't just simply ask forgiveness. I did ask my family to forgive me, but they were too angry. I don't blame them. I stopped talking to them myself. I even changed my phone number.

I just need tools to help fight my depression. I will be seeking professional help. I don't think my depression will go away but I just need tools to help fight it. I'm not going to reach out to people or even go to church. I just don't understand why God created us to be in relation with other people it kind of makes me mad. And so I'm fighting the desire to have relationships. But it makes me depressed that I don't have relationships. I did all of this to myself. So those who may tell me that, I don't disagree with you. I just need tools to fight this depression. If anyone has any advice that does not involve me going to church or reaching out to people, please help

as long as it goes with Scripture. Thanks